'Cho Kyu Sung's late goal' gives Klinsmann's side first win in 6G over Saudi Arabia

'Klinsmann's ship' has earned its first win in six games.

South Korea, led by Jürgen Klinsmann, beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in an exhibition match at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England, on Sept. 13 (KST), 토토사이트 thanks to a goal from Cho Kyu-sung in the 32nd minute.

It was South Korea's first win in six games under Klinsmann. Klinsmann, who was appointed in February, had suffered three draws and two defeats in five matches before the game.

Saudi Arabia, who recently hired Italian coach Roberto Mancini, had lost six straight games.

South Korea started the game on the offensive, with Hwang Hee-chan's daring breakthrough from the flank. South Korea put pressure on their opponents with back-to-back shots from Cho Kyu-sung in the fourth minute and Lee Ki-je in the ninth. In the 12th minute, Son Heung-min scored a goal that seemed to set the tone.

However, as Korea failed to capitalize on their chances, 스포츠토토 Saudi Arabia responded immediately. Utilizing their individual skills, they quickly penetrated the Korean backline and took advantage of the opportunity. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a series of saves to keep the game scoreless.

After holding their own, South Korea opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. From the right flank, Lee Jae-sung shook the defense and sent the ball into the middle. Hwang In-beom's roving pass in front of the goal deflected off the opposing defense, and Cho Kyu-sung finished with his head.

It was Cho's first goal in an A-match in about 10 months after his multi-goal performance in the second group game against Ghana at last year's World Cup in Qatar.

Jürgen Klinsmann, head coach of the South Korea national soccer team, looks on during the A friendly between South Korea and Saudi Arabia at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England, Monday, Sept. 13, 2018. 

South Korea gained momentum in the 34th minute when Son Heung-min tripped over a defender's foot inside the penalty area on a counterattack, but the referee did not call a foul.

South Korea continued to push forward in the second half, with Cho Kyu-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, and Lee Jae-sung working diligently and connecting on shots, but were unable to add another goal.

At the start of the second half, South Korea took control of the game with individual efforts from Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min, and Hwang Hee-chan.

However, in the 10th minute of the second half, Hwang Hee-chan's right-footed shot was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.

With no goals despite dominating the game, South Korea took off Cho Kyu-sung and Hwang Hee-chan in the 23rd minute to bring on Hwang Eui-jo and Moon Sun-min, and in the 32nd minute, Kang Sang-woo replaced Lee Jae-sung in the flanking attack.

The new trio worked diligently up front and troubled the opposing defense, but their final shots, crosses, and passes were inaccurate.

In the final minutes of the game, South Korea's defense, led by Kim Min-jae and Kim Seung-kyu, kept the opponent's offense at bay and held on for a one-goal victory.

Hwang Hee-chan of South Korea attacks towards the opponent's half during the first half of the World Cup A match between South Korea and Saudi Arabia at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England, on Sept. 13.

Meanwhile, the national team, which has turned the tide with its first victory in six games, will be released from international duty today. The overseas players will head back to their respective leagues, while the K-Leaguers will board a flight back to Korea together.

The players will play their respective club schedules and prepare for the October A matches. South Korea will face Tunisia at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on October 13 and Vietnam at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on October 17.

November will see the start of the second round of qualifying for the FIFA Confederations Cup North America 2026. The team opens the group stage at home on Nov. 16 against the winner of the Singapore-Guam playoff. 스포츠토토맨 They will then travel to China for the second leg on Nov. 21.